Mentors and the Environment of Research Alan Dardik, MD, PhD, FACS Section of Vascular Surgery Yale University School of Medicine Disclosure • Nothing to disclose 31 postdoctoral fellows 5 medical student M.D. theses 4 masters M.H.S. theses 4 graduate Ph.D. theses 12 vascular surgery fellows The Balance of Life Youth time strength Old Age money Middle Age The environment of research • University • Quality of research • Industry space • Private institutions • Colleagues – Hospitals • Effective work – Foundations environment • Job satisfaction and performance • Branding • Efficient use of resources Structure of University Research InstitutionPI’s lab Section Department Institution Resulting Forces Family Lifestyle Section Head Other Faculty resources Clinical Work / On Call InstitutionPI’s lab Chairman Overall Career Planning Section Protected Time Administrative Support Department Institution Location Academic Potential Salary / Benefits Congratulations! • You have a –First position –New position You want to succeed But what is success ?? www.speakingchannel.tv pro.corbis.com Failure Problems Solutions • Not being true to yourself • Know thyself – Know what you want – Spend time thinking, talking – Know what you need – Spouse, peers • Accepting a poor position • Investigate (negotiate) well • Not having advice • Find mentors What is a mentor? • Greek mythology • Mentor (Μέντωρ) – son of Heracles and Asopis • Friend of Odysseus – When Odysseus left for the Trojan war, he placed Mentor in charge of his son Telemachus – Athena disguised herself as Mentor to encourage him and give him practical plans for dealing with personal dilemmas • Someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague http://wordsmith.org Why a Mentor? • Offer guidance and advice, clarify thinking • Provide opportunity • Help you take the right steps, make the right moves • Advocate for you locally and nationally Mentors for Research • How to plan a scientific experiment • How to actually perform the work of an experiment • How to work in / set up a laboratory • How to collaborate – Which colleagues to avoid • Where and when to publish – or write grants • Writing skills – Papers vs. Grants • Advice regarding aptitude for science – Should my career path include scientific investigation? • How to ask and answer a question Types of Mentors Big Brother The Godfather Patron Parent Godfather • Powerful • Connected • Provides for your needs, at a cost • Gives clear direction • Your priorities and goals are the same Godfather • Advantages – Clear, efficient access to power and connections – If you deliver you will likely succeed • Disadvantages – The godfather’s priorities are first – It may be tough to become independent Big Brother The Beaver Wally Cleaver • Helpful person slightly more senior than you • You are following in his/her footsteps • A trusted person who you can turn to for advice. Big Brother • Advantages – Trustworthy, open, honest – You do not always have to look good • Disadvantages – May not have the best answers – Does not have resources, power – May have the same struggles as you June and Ward Cleaver Parent • Advantages – Trustworthy, open, honest – The parent is committed to your best interest • Disadvantages – May not have the answers – May not have connections, power, resources – May be dysfunctional Patron Jennifer Jones-Simon Norton Simon • A distant supporter • You may have projects together, but you do not work for her/him • Successful, connected • Willing to help you and receive little in return Patron Jennifer Jones-Simon Norton Simon • Advantages – You are not wholly dependent – The patron has connections and insight • Disadvantages – Limited time – Limited loyalty – May not engage deeply in your development • What do you need from a mentor? – What is your goal • This month • This year • Long term • How should you get what you need? – Is there a local godfather, sibling, parent, or patron? – Are you connected to the right types of mentors? Some advice • Know thyself – Spend time thinking, talking • What kind of position do I want? • What kind of institution do I want to be a part of? • Who are my ideal colleagues and partners? – Spouse and Family • How much time can we spend together? • What area of the world do we wish to live in? • Do we need all the money in the world? – Peers - friends, committees, societies, editorial boards • What advice do they have for me? • How did they avoid problems? • Investigate the position carefully – You are your own best advocate – this is your life !! • Network, Find mentors – Local – National / International / Societies Thank you very much! If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when? - Rabbi Hillel (30 BC - 9 AD) .